Us Congress House Bill HB307

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/23
• Refer: 1/11/23

Caption

Public Housing Emergency Response Act This bill authorizes additional assistance from the Public Housing Capital Fund to public housing agencies (PHAs) based upon capital needs as determined by the PHA's most recent physical needs assessment. The physical needs assessment identifies work that a PHA would need to undertake to bring its units up to certain energy conservation standards and other standards.

Impact

The legislation highlights the connection between housing conditions and public health, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Poor housing has been linked to higher rates of respiratory diseases, chronic illnesses, and other serious health outcomes. The bill emphasizes the need for significant investment to rectify these issues and ensure that low-income families have access to safe, adequate housing. As public housing units nationwide continue to face a multi-billion-dollar backlog in capital repairs, this funding could be vital for revitalizing these communities.

Summary

House Bill 307, titled the 'Public Housing Emergency Response Act,' seeks to authorize an additional $70 billion in funding for the Public Housing Capital Fund administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding aims to address critical capital needs identified by public housing agencies (PHAs) through recent assessments. The bill recognizes the physical and structural deterioration of public housing, which has led to substandard living conditions that can negatively impact residents' health and well-being.

Contention

Debate surrounding HB 307 may focus on the adequacy of the proposed funding and its ability to meet the extensive capital needs identified. Critics may argue that past federal disinvestment in public housing has created a significant dependency on federal appropriations, questioning whether one-time funding can effectively address long-term structural issues. Supporters of the bill contend that investing in public housing is a necessary step to ensure equitable living conditions and to alleviate public health risks associated with poor housing conditions.